Canelo Álvarez Responds to Mike Tyson, Says He'd Fight David Benavidez for $150M-200M

Canelo Álvarez set a steep price for what would be a highly anticipated fight with David Benavidez and had some choice words for legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson.

Tyson was among those who called out the 33-year-old for a perceived ducking of Benavidez. Following his press conference to announce a bout with Jaime Munguía. Álvarez responded he'd "respect [Tyson's] opinion if he was sober."

Canelo told reporters that Benavidez "brings nothing to the table" and added he'd basically only consider the idea if offered $150 million to $200 million.

The super middleweight champion also pushed back on the notion he has a duty to schedule the biggest fights on the table.

"So it is what it is," he told reporters. "And you remember when you guys asking me for (Gennady) Golovkin and I fight with Golovkin, and then Callum Smith, and then Billy Joe Saunders, and then Caleb Plant, and then — so never is enough for you guys. I don't need to prove anything to anybody, anymore. I've done everything in my career."

There's no question Álvarez has gone through some major stars. In two cases (Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013 and Dmitry Bivol in 2022), he took on challenges others may have shied away from. By and large, he has given the fans what they want.

When it comes to Benavidez, however, Canelo is being pretty explicit in how self-interest is driving his decision.

Saying Benavidez "brings nothing to the table," even in a strictly financial sense, probably isn't accurate because a lot of people likely would pay to see that fight. That's to say nothing of the intrinsic value for all parties involved and the sport as a whole when the No. 1 contender goes after the champion.

Álvarez's thoughts on Benavidez seem to represent a wider change in his priorities since the end of his trilogy with Golovkin in 2022. He followed that up with emphatic wins over John Ryder and Jermell Charlo, neither of which moved the needle all that much compared to his past events. With Munguía, Canelo opted for another opponent against whom he should be a heavy favorite.

At this stage of his career, he might be content to coast for the most part rather than test himself against the best in the world.